The number of classrooms damaged by the combined effects of Tropical Cyclone “Maymay” and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” has climbed to 3,924, up from 2,424 reported a day earlier, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday, Aug. 10.

Based on DepEd’s latest situation report as of 8 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2,355 classrooms sustained minor damage, 818 had major damage, while 751 were totally damaged.

“As of today, the combined effects of Southwest Monsoon and former Tropical Cyclone Maymay left damages on 722 schools—affecting 751 totally damaged, 818 major damaged, and 2,355 minor damaged classrooms,” the agency reported.

As such, DepEd reported non-infrastructure losses, including 5,368 chairs, 380 units of ICT equipment, and 6,227 learning materials, which affected teaching and learning across the affected regions.

“Fifty-two schools are currently being used as evacuation centers, with 239 classrooms being used to accommodate 1,057 families,” it added.

Per DepEd, it has activated measures to ensure learning continuity amid class disruptions caused by heavy rains from the southwest monsoon or “habagat” in Metro Manila and several provinces, with schools and field offices reminded to implement its Education in Emergencies framework to protect learners, teachers, and school personnel.

The agency issued the reminder following Memorandum Circular No. 123 from the Office of the President, which directed schools in affected areas to shift to alternative learning modes on Monday, Aug. 10, unless otherwise ordered by local chief executives.

The education department said the prevailing weather conditions underscore the need for schools to apply the 4H protocol, or Hinto, Hinga, Hinay, and Hayo, when making decisions on learning delivery, taking into account safety, learner readiness, available resources, and conditions on the ground.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the policy seeks to help schools respond to disruptions while ensuring the safety of learners and teachers and allowing learning to continue when conditions permit.

“Kapag malakas ang ulan, baha ang daan, o may risk sa safety ng learners at teachers, hindi puwedeng one-size-fits-all ang decision (When the rain is heavy, roads are flooded, or there is a risk to the safety of learners and teachers, decisions cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach),” he said in a statement.

“Kailangan malinaw ang batayan: ligtas ba, kaya ba, at anong klaseng learning support ang angkop? Iyan ang layunin ng 4H framework — gabayan ang schools kung kailan tutuloy, kailan babagalan, kailan hihinga, at kailan kailangang huminto muna (There must be clear bases: Is it safe? Is it feasible? And what kind of learning support is appropriate? That is the purpose of the 4H framework, to guide schools on when to proceed, when to slow down, when to take a breather, and when they need to stop temporarily).”

DepEd said that under the 4H framework, Hinto calls for a temporary halt to academic activities when conditions are unsafe, while Hinga gives learners, teachers, and school personnel time to recover from disruptions through well-being checks, psychosocial support, and light activities without regular academic requirements.

Under Hinay, learning may continue through adjusted, teacher-supervised synchronous or asynchronous modes, while Hayo signals the safe resumption of regular learning.

The agency added that areas that shifted to asynchronous or alternative learning modes due to the rains may be classified under Hinay, provided that learners and teachers are safe and academic requirements are adjusted accordingly.

The education department stressed that schools should not force regular academic activities during emergencies when conditions pose safety risks or significant stress. 

Learning should instead be adjusted according to risks, accessibility, and the well-being of learners and personnel.

Likewise, DepEd told schools to coordinate with local government units, disaster risk reduction and management offices, and field offices in determining the appropriate level of learning continuity.